Boat Information/Advice for Beginners
- Thread starter DanielOcean
- Start date
I see the whole "Jack of all trades = master of nothing" thing applies to boats.
reasonable accomodation at best...
Daniel,
My boat is a 16' Lund SSV model powered with a Yamaha 40/30 jet drive. Similar boats for this kind of task are the Smokercraft Alaskan 15' with a small jet drive outboard, a G3, which is similar to the Lowe jonboat you referenced earlier. These are all riveted aluminum boats that are lighter than any of the welded and heavier models of Alumaweld, Willie, North River, and the like. Nothing wrong with those heavier boats, but being heavier they require larger heavier higher HP motors and a larger tow vehicle. I'll note that some people think it's dangerous and irresponsible to run rivers in lightweight riveted boats. That would be true if one is routinely crashing into boulders and driving their boats full speed up onto gravel bars. Personally I think they are rationalizing the expense they made in a heavier boat, which maybe they need for their intended use, or maybe they're just compensating for a small dick. Don't know, don't care. I've had my Lund for 20 years, and the only dent in it was caused by a guy launching his heavier welded boat at a ramp on Baker Lake over 10 years ago. I chose the Lund because I had used them for work where the best care we ever gave them was benign neglect. The rest of the time it was just shy of abuse. So I was sold. There are other good brands, but I didn't look around at all and bought based on prior experience.
Prop or jet drive? I've run prop boats a lot on the Skagit. I also carried spare shear pins in the boat and replaced a couple while pulled up on a gravel bar. It can be done, but even experience gets fooled when the safe spot in the channel changes from one season to the next. I can run the Cowlitz in the winter with a prop, but I mostly fish it in the summer. And there are several spots I run in the summer that no prop drive will navigate, if that makes a difference to you. I run a couple spots at summer low flow that the larger heavier welded sleds don't go, which gives me some less crowded water at that time of the year.
The Clackacraft Powerdrifter that Evan posted is a nice practical boat. It will also cost a great deal more than one of the aluminum counterparts. In case that matters to you.
My boat is a 16' Lund SSV model powered with a Yamaha 40/30 jet drive. Similar boats for this kind of task are the Smokercraft Alaskan 15' with a small jet drive outboard, a G3, which is similar to the Lowe jonboat you referenced earlier. These are all riveted aluminum boats that are lighter than any of the welded and heavier models of Alumaweld, Willie, North River, and the like. Nothing wrong with those heavier boats, but being heavier they require larger heavier higher HP motors and a larger tow vehicle. I'll note that some people think it's dangerous and irresponsible to run rivers in lightweight riveted boats. That would be true if one is routinely crashing into boulders and driving their boats full speed up onto gravel bars. Personally I think they are rationalizing the expense they made in a heavier boat, which maybe they need for their intended use, or maybe they're just compensating for a small dick. Don't know, don't care. I've had my Lund for 20 years, and the only dent in it was caused by a guy launching his heavier welded boat at a ramp on Baker Lake over 10 years ago. I chose the Lund because I had used them for work where the best care we ever gave them was benign neglect. The rest of the time it was just shy of abuse. So I was sold. There are other good brands, but I didn't look around at all and bought based on prior experience.
Prop or jet drive? I've run prop boats a lot on the Skagit. I also carried spare shear pins in the boat and replaced a couple while pulled up on a gravel bar. It can be done, but even experience gets fooled when the safe spot in the channel changes from one season to the next. I can run the Cowlitz in the winter with a prop, but I mostly fish it in the summer. And there are several spots I run in the summer that no prop drive will navigate, if that makes a difference to you. I run a couple spots at summer low flow that the larger heavier welded sleds don't go, which gives me some less crowded water at that time of the year.
The Clackacraft Powerdrifter that Evan posted is a nice practical boat. It will also cost a great deal more than one of the aluminum counterparts. In case that matters to you.
kerrys
Ignored Member
Boats are like fishin’ poles, you can never have too many. I got four and need a fifth for the salt.
Thanks for the info. I did not know that about riveted vs welded. You also wrote everything just as only Salmo can. Thanks for the chuckle.
D.O. after much thought and seeing these pictures my thoughts are screw the boat... I think your best bet would be to become @Wanative's friend as soon as possible.
RCF
Life of the Party
D.O. after much thought and seeing these pictures my thoughts are screw the boat... I think your best bet would be to become @Wanative's friend as soon as possible.
@Old406Kid - there actually is much more truth to your statement (as you well know).
DO, pay for breakfast, gas, lunch and drinks and dinner at the end of the day. Much cheaper than owning a boat. That way you can test them out, be the primary fisherman, and have a lotta fun too...
Edited: Offer to help clean up the boat and wash it at the end of the day. You will be asked back from then on for sure...
Last edited:
The Fred @Wanative I know is serious about catching fish, meticulous with his crafting and ties some kick butt flies. Pink lipstick, Fred?D.O. after much thought and seeing these pictures my thoughts are screw the boat... I think your best bet would be to become @Wanative's friend as soon as possible.
Last edited:
Why thank you Pat. That's very nice of you to say.
Jeff Dodd
Steelhead
Your brain will be consumed by boat thoughts, if it has not already!
Mistakes by new owners:
1. No storage!
2. More boat than their vehicle will safely tow
3. Old outboard and can’t afford to repower the boat
I suggest starting with a lighter, modest boat such as the 16’ Lund or one of the many comparables. Versatile, easy to tow, handles abuse, easy to sell. Inexpensive to repower.
Similarly, a 16’ by 48” modified V Jon, like the Roughneck, is tough and stable. You can run prop or pump. Your outboard looses a lot of power with a pump installed. Something to keep in mind.
Search out some Gregor boats. Welded, lightweight aluminum sleds or V boats. Stable. Lots of them around. Same with Klamath.
Mistakes by new owners:
1. No storage!
2. More boat than their vehicle will safely tow
3. Old outboard and can’t afford to repower the boat
I suggest starting with a lighter, modest boat such as the 16’ Lund or one of the many comparables. Versatile, easy to tow, handles abuse, easy to sell. Inexpensive to repower.
Similarly, a 16’ by 48” modified V Jon, like the Roughneck, is tough and stable. You can run prop or pump. Your outboard looses a lot of power with a pump installed. Something to keep in mind.
Search out some Gregor boats. Welded, lightweight aluminum sleds or V boats. Stable. Lots of them around. Same with Klamath.
riveted Smokercraft have taken more salmon in Oregon than the sum of all other boats combined, many are well over 30 years old and still banging fish every spring and fall. Ever start getting mild rivet leaks in an aging riveted hull, couple coats of Sea Hawk Tuff Stuff (10mm of epoxy) from the waterline down along with a finish coat, off for another decade.
mooseknuckles
Distinguished Degenerate
I have just the boat for you! We have had success running up and down rivers with our Hyde Power Drifter. Ours is set up with an Evinrude E-Tec 90/60 jet, Honda 8.8hp kicker w/Garmin TR-1 Gold, Helix 7 and we recently had Hyde install their UHMW bottom. 
We are replacing the Hyde Power Drifter with a bit longer and wider aluminum vessel as we have outgrown the Hyde and it is available now. I will get the Hyde posted in the proper section soon. Happy boat hunting!
We are replacing the Hyde Power Drifter with a bit longer and wider aluminum vessel as we have outgrown the Hyde and it is available now. I will get the Hyde posted in the proper section soon. Happy boat hunting!
Last edited:
dep
Steelhead
looking forward to seeing this in the classifieds
